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Nisyros’ rich gastronomy includes specialties such as kapamas (stuffed goat meat), pithia (balls made with chick peas), boukounies (pork meat cooked in grease) and also fine caper, myzithra and tyria (types of cheese). As for the sweets, you can have loukoumades (donuts), xerotigana and diples, kourambiedes (sugar buns), pastelaries (figs filled with almonds and sesame) and a variety of spoon sweets (quince, bitter orange, cherry tomato). You can also drink koukouzina (alcohol drink made of figs or grapes, similar to the Cretan raki), soumada (made from almond extract) and sapsicho (distillate of rosemary).

The island’s number one feast takes place on August 15th at Panagia Spiliani, Nisyros’ patron saint. It is a major celebration with lots of music, dance and local food and the preparations start at August 6th, according to tradition. More feasts are held on June 21st, July 27th and August 23rd.

Thanks to the island’s volcanic origins, there are many thermal spas and springs, famous since antiquity. Three of the most popular spots can be found at Loutra (close to Mandraki), Thermiani (near Pali) and Avlaki.

The medieval castle of Pantoniki, the church of Taxiarches, the Natural Sauna and the Monastery of Panagia Kyra at the village of Emborios. Also, the caves near the beach of Katsouni and the chapel of Panagia Thermiani, built inside the Roman Baths, both located at the fishing village of Pali.

The ancient acropolis of Nisyros is also situated at the area of Mandraki, where the island’s ancient capital used to be. It is one of the best preserved fortifications found in the Aegean, with impressive volcanic rock cyclopean walls. From here the views are absolutely superb.

The capital’s Archaeological Museum and Folklore Museum provide a nice overview of the island’s history, customs and lifestyle. The Monastery of Panagia Spiliani, also located at Mandraki, is one of Nisyros’ top attractions and a major pilgrim centre. It is situated at the hilltop, in the castle of the Knights of St John, offering panoramic views. A great part of this 14th c monastery is actually built inside a cave, while it also features many important ecclesiastical relics.

Fancy some island hopping? From Nisyros there are boat connections to Kos, Tilos, Symi, Astypalea, Chalki, Kalymnos and Rhodes.

Located between Kos and Nisyros, this tiny volcanic island is well-known for the pumice stones mine and gorgeous beaches where you can have a swim.